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By Dan Whitcomb Dan Whitcomb – 2 hrs 53 mins agoLOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Around 440 self-described medical marijuana dispensaries across Los Angeles were under orders to close on Monday, nearly five months after city officials voted to shut most of them down.

An estimated 135 dispensaries may remain legally open as of Monday as a new city law formally takes effect. City leaders hope to eventually whittle that number down to 70 and confine them to mostly industrial areas, away from schools, parks, libraries and churches.

"We're trying to achieve some order out of what has essentially been a very chaotic situation," Assistant City Attorney Asha Greenberg told Reuters in an interview.

"We will have a limited number of medical marijuana establishments that are not close to sensitive sites and are not neighborhood nuisances," she said

Greenberg said that 439 shops had been ordered to close. Any remaining open after Monday face law enforcement actions.

"As of today they should have their boxes packed and their closed sign up," she said.

California became the first U.S. state to decriminalize cannabis for medical use in 1996 and a 2003 ballot measure permitted pot to be cultivated and distributed to patients holding prescriptions from a doctor. Since those developments, Los Angeles had seen roughly 1,000 of the shops spring up across the city.

Responding to residents who complained that many of the shops were catering more to recreational pot smokers than patients, the Los Angeles City Council voted in January to limit the number that could operate to between 70 and 187.

Legal challenges failed to stop the law taking effect.

Since the city council passed its law, a statewide voter initiative that would legalize the possession and sale of marijuana has qualified for the November ballot in what supporters have called a "watershed moment" for their cause.

It was unclear how that measure would affect Los Angeles' ability to regulate medical marijuana, should it pass.

Under the ballot initiative, simple possession of an ounce (28.5 grams) or less of marijuana, currently a misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine, would be legal for anyone aged 21 or older. It also would be lawful to grow limited amounts in one's own home for personal use.

While sales would not be legalized outright, cities and counties could pass laws permitting commercial distribution subject to local regulations and taxes. Retail sales would still be limited to an ounce for adults 21 and older.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Yeah it sucks and it is not surprising that now they want to shut them down. Most potheads want to eat after toking. It would mean spending money for munchies which equals revenue...*lol*...But of course, law enforcement and politicians doesn't look at it like that.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

one illegal shop owner made 250k in one month. he finally got his shit together. im just pissed that it's not for profit. im sure it gets all complicated going down that rabbit's hole.

there were too many problems with accountability. yeah, like asking potheads to use excel and quickbooks 2 times a day when the simpsons were on. the location near my pad has a better system. if they moved to an easier process (cataloguing, tracking & better data keeping) it wouldn't be such a pain.

Pot is part of natures great beauty and to try to get us "naturals" to stop it is probably like trying to enforce the blue laws around alcohol. Just doesn't work, never has, never will. Gee, I've been smoking since 1968, and I'm not insane yet, ..... well, I guess I'm not.

Logged

The Bible contains 6 admonishments to homosexuals,and 362 to heterosexuals.This doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals, It's just that they need more supervision.Lynn Lavne

I honestly don't care one way or the other about pot. I don't smoke it so I don't care if it's legal, but on the other hand I don't think it hurts anyone to smoke it, so I really don't care if you're lighting up 5+ times a day.

Pot is part of natures great beauty and to try to get us "naturals" to stop it is probably like trying to enforce the blue laws around alcohol. Just doesn't work, never has, never will. Gee, I've been smoking since 1968, and I'm not insane yet, ..... well, I guess I'm not.

Damn Moffie, smoking since before I was born. Oooh, and I bet it was some fire (good stuff). And I like that term, naturals...

LOL@Ann---You know any thread that has to do with weed I am there. I wish they would make it legal here. I think it's now legal in NJ. Take the green away from me and I am not going to be a happy camper.

"Modern fiscal conservatives remain wary of government spending. They believe strongly in free trade and are committed to lowering the federal budget, paying off national debt, and acquiring a balanced budget.[14] Where fiscal conservatism gets more diverse in ideals is what steps should be taken to balance the budget. Deficit hawks are more willing to increase taxes in addition to cutting spending to balance the budget than libertarians, who want to "starve the beast" by cutting taxes for the purpose of decreasing tax revenue which they hope will cause the government to spend less, and supply-siders, who believe the best way to gain tax revenue is through deep across-the-board tax cuts that they believe will end up completely paying for themselves through the economic growth they cause."

Edit: Oh and in case you were still thoroughly confused I would fall under the subclassification of a Deficit hawk.

"Modern fiscal conservatives remain wary of government spending. They believe strongly in free trade and are committed to lowering the federal budget, paying off national debt, and acquiring a balanced budget.[14] Where fiscal conservatism gets more diverse in ideals is what steps should be taken to balance the budget. Deficit hawks are more willing to increase taxes in addition to cutting spending to balance the budget than libertarians, who want to "starve the beast" by cutting taxes for the purpose of decreasing tax revenue which they hope will cause the government to spend less, and supply-siders, who believe the best way to gain tax revenue is through deep across-the-board tax cuts that they believe will end up completely paying for themselves through the economic growth they cause."

Edit: Oh and in case you were still thoroughly confused I would fall under the subclassification of a Deficit hawk.

The point. It just goes sailing right over your head most of the time, doesn't it?

I'm all for legalization. Pot never did anything for me. I actually got sick off some a friend gave me. I think it was laced with something or had tons of pesticides in it. This is why growing your own and being able to buy it legally would be better. I've seen stories where the gov't has sprayed pot plants with toxins from airplanes to kill it..but it didn't kill it and it ended up out to the public. I may have just had a bad trip...although I didn't think pot was suppose to do that. It made me puke more than I had ever puked before. I think it had something in it. This is one reason I'm for legalization--among others.

Anyway, I always find it funny when drunk friends say they are against pot.

I'm all for legalization. Pot never did anything for me. I actually got sick off some a friend gave me. I think it was laced with something or had tons of pesticides in it. This is why growing your own and being able to buy it legally would be better. I've seen stories where the gov't has sprayed pot plants with toxins from airplanes to kill it..but it didn't kill it and it ended up out to the public. I may have just had a bad trip...although I didn't think pot was suppose to do that. It made me puke more than I had ever puked before. I think it had something in it. This is one reason I'm for legalization--among others.

Anyway, I always find it funny when drunk friends say they are against pot.

Christ Teddy. You can't even enjoy a bong? What's the point of living?

Christ Teddy. You can't even enjoy a bong? What's the point of living?

MtD

I know. I tried it a couple times after having the bad experience, but I just didn't really feel anything. It just made me sleepy. Maybe I'm too uptight? I've heard others say pot didn't do anything for them either. Maybe I need to try it again. I remember as a kid finding my uncle's pot closet. He had the whole set-up with growing lights. I was about 6, I guess. I remember asking him about it and he said they were ferns. I think even at that age, I realized they were more than just ferns.

I'm all for legalization. Pot never did anything for me. I actually got sick off some a friend gave me. I think it was laced with something or had tons of pesticides in it. This is why growing your own and being able to buy it legally would be better. I've seen stories where the gov't has sprayed pot plants with toxins from airplanes to kill it..but it didn't kill it and it ended up out to the public. I may have just had a bad trip...although I didn't think pot was suppose to do that. It made me puke more than I had ever puked before. I think it had something in it. This is one reason I'm for legalization--among others.

Anyway, I always find it funny when drunk friends say they are against pot.

I know. I tried it a couple times after having the bad experience, but I just didn't really feel anything. It just made me sleepy. Maybe I'm too uptight? I've heard others say pot didn't do anything for them either. Maybe I need to try it again. I remember as a kid finding my uncle's pot closet. He had the whole set-up with growing lights. I was about 6, I guess. I remember asking him about it and he said they were ferns. I think even at that age, I realized they were more than just ferns.

I've met quite a few people over the years who claimed to "not feel" anything after smoking pot. I've even smoked with a few and no, it didn't seem to have any effect - meanwhile, I was stoned out of my tiny little box.

I reckon these people are just missing the coolness gene. Can't get high off pot? Whaaaaa?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I still take a hit or 10 now and then but it doesn't affect me the way it used to . I get a little sleepy and a lot of hungry . I feel like that most days without the added expense . I keep some around anyway because I try and be a good host if company should want to pertake .

Never-mind the expense, getting a hold of it in the first place is my problem. The Rock's border patrol and sniffer dogs are very adept at keeping pot out, but they let through loads of heroin and cocaine. Sucks.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Nothing like it was when I moved here 20 years ago - back then you could get a few weeks in jail plus a hefty fine just for being found in possession of a roach. They brought their pot laws into line with the UK about ten years later.

The UK government downgraded pot from Class B to Class C a few years ago (which meant you could pretty much be in possession of small amounts as the penalty wasn't worth the paperwork hassle) but I think they put it back up to Class B about a year later. That's when some studies came out that adolescent pot use was linked to schizophrenia. The media went hysterical and put their oar in. Whatever the UK government does, the Rock usually follows suit.

Damn, I should know this shit. I used to work for the Rock's private-sector substance misuse counselling program. I was working there when they made it Class C, but left while the controversy over the schizophrenia studies was still going on.

Doesn't matter to me these days really, because they can't bust me for possession of something I can't get my hands on!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Truth be told I kinda wish my best friend would stay out of my stash sometime . He comes over and gets into it then its like I'm hanging out with a zombie . I don't allow cigarettes in the house but late at night I hear him striking up a lighter in the bathroom after sneaking some of my stash . I told him just to ask and that he doesn't need to sneak and take it from me but I'm starting to think pinching my bag is half the fun for him so I just pretend not to notice .

I've met quite a few people over the years who claimed to "not feel" anything after smoking pot. I've even smoked with a few and no, it didn't seem to have any effect - meanwhile, I was stoned out of my tiny little box.

I reckon these people are just missing the coolness gene. Can't get high off pot? Whaaaaa?

Ted, maybe you should try smoking a fern.

Naw Teddy is one of those wasteful mouth inhalers!! These people are like vampires they suck your weed dry till it's gone then look at you with white eyes telling you they can't feel anything. If even a smidgen of smoke gets past their throat they gag and cough wasting valuable smoke you could be getting high on.

Naw Teddy is one of those wasteful mouth inhalers!! These people are like vampires they suck your weed dry till it's gone then look at you with white eyes telling you they can't feel anything. If even a smidgen of smoke gets past their throat they gag and cough wasting valuable smoke you could be getting high on.

You might be onto something there. I once fed some hash brownies to a friend who always said he didn't get high when he smoked - and he couldn't get off the couch for hours.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Truth be told I kinda wish my best friend would stay out of my stash sometime . He comes over and gets into it then its like I'm hanging out with a zombie . I don't allow cigarettes in the house but late at night I hear him striking up a lighter in the bathroom after sneaking some of my stash . I told him just to ask and that he doesn't need to sneak and take it from me but I'm starting to think pinching my bag is half the fun for him so I just pretend not to notice .

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

After ya'll smoke here is a cool video for you both to watch. The guy at the 1:20 mark is the best and the guy right after him is so chill with his delivery. The look back after he's done is just priceless.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I told a friend not to long ago to smell my finger when it had been somewhere it shouldn't have been . He was gonna whip my ass until he was advised to chock it up to experience and never be stupid enough again to smell a finger when offered one . What can I say ... it was a hot humid day and my balls itched . Apparently straight men in Alabama aren't amused by other men's musty nuts .

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I don't get the "tax the hell out of it" stuff. Tax it, sure. But more than alcohol? Cigarettes? To do more would be to play into that fallacy of pot being "gateway" drug or somehow "worse for society" than alcohol and tobacco. It simply is not.

Seems that phrase is used a lot when people want to maintain their conservative street cred, yet also want to be cool. Can't do both.

Hell, even if i LIVED in California and got a script for pot, I could not afford the stuff sold at the dispensaries.

Make it the hell legal. Leg people grow the stuff. it's a freaking weed, it will grow almost anywhere. If it's revenue you are looking for, think how much the state will save from all the incarcerated pot offenders and the drug cartels from Mexico - who, in anticipation of the legalization, are ALREADY switching over to cheap, dangerous meth.

I get so irritated at that "tax the hell out of it" bullshit.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

After ya'll smoke here is a cool video for you both to watch. The guy at the 1:20 mark is the best and the guy right after him is so chill with his delivery. The look back after he's done is just priceless.

I don't get the "tax the hell out of it" stuff. Tax it, sure. But more than alcohol? Cigarettes? To do more would be to play into that fallacy of pot being "gateway" drug or somehow "worse for society" than alcohol and tobacco. It simply is not.

Seems that phrase is used a lot when people want to maintain their conservative street cred, yet also want to be cool. Can't do both.

Hell, even if i LIVED in California and got a script for pot, I could not afford the stuff sold at the dispensaries.

Make it the hell legal. Leg people grow the stuff. it's a freaking weed, it will grow almost anywhere. If it's revenue you are looking for, think how much the state will save from all the incarcerated pot offenders and the drug cartels from Mexico - who, in anticipation of the legalization, are ALREADY switching over to cheap, dangerous meth.

I get so irritated at that "tax the hell out of it" bullshit.

im down for taxing it. we need the revenue stream. im also down for complete legalization. mostly because of the adverse effects the 3 strikes law has had on non violent offenders, their families and our economy.

when you go into the shops they have a variety of grades so you can find one for your budget. you can also join a cooperative or form one and have someone grow on your behalf. lastly, it is a fucking weed. but unlike any weed, we tend to want to make love to it so we buy them lights and good soil and fancy irrigation systems to maximize our love for them : )

they already do "tax the hell out of" cigarettes. and it sure did reduce the numbers of smokers.

I gave up smoking over a yr and a half ago not for any health reason but because OH and the feds added another $1 and I was just too freakin' poor to be able to afford the habit any more.

i quit because i think cigs stink, make hangovers worse and don't really give one a worthwhile buzz. and yes, i still remember the first drag on cold winter mornings with a good cup of joe in hand. i also remember the wonderful conversations with strangers and other smokers that non smokers are just not privy too. all that said i ain't going back.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts